§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what restrictions he has placed on the appointment of orthopaedic registrars; and to which regions, areas or districts these restrictions apply.
§ Mr. MoyleThe registrar grade is a training grade and approval to new posts is given only if there are not already enough posts to train the number of consultants likely to be needed in future years. As there are at present enough training posts in traumatic and orthopaedic surgery to meet future needs, no new registrar posts are being approved. However, existing posts may be refilled whenever they fall vacant, and it is open to regional health authorities to establish new posts if they close a corresponding number of posts elsewhere within their region. These restrictions apply to all authorities in England; similar arrangements exist in other parts of the United Kingdom.